10 Cooking Essentials You Can't Live Without
What’s a kitchen without its equipment? No matter if you’re a pro chef or a novice, the right gadgets make all the difference. Let's be real, even the best ingredients won’t cook themselves!
In our handy blog, we’ll go through the top 10 cooking essentials you can’t, or simply shouldn’t, live without. And if you spot something you already own, well, consider it the perfect excuse to gift it to the chef in your life, because great tools deserve to be shared (or upgraded).
1. Chef’s Knife Set
You know that one friend who insists their butter knife can chop an onion? Don’t be that person. A sharp, well-balanced chef’s knife is the MVP of the kitchen. It doesn’t really matter whether you actually know how to slice and dice, just pretend. A proper knife set makes everything look more professional, plus it’s safer.
2. Knife Sharpener
Speaking of knives, a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one. If you want to avoid a high-stakes wrestling match with a potato, invest in a good knife sharpener. Bonus: Sharpening your knives makes you look like a Michelin star chef, even if your idea of “cooking” is just reheating last night’s takeout.
3. Cooking Utensils Set
This one may seem obvious, but you’d be shocked how many kitchens don’t have one. Ever tried flipping pancakes with a fork? It’s not a good time. A solid cooking utensils set gives you all the right tools to stir, flip, and whisk. Plus, it saves you from using a spoon as a spatula and wondering why your omelette turned into scrambled eggs.
4. A Stainless Steel Fry Pan
Non-stick pans are great until they start flaking like a bad sunburn. A stainless steel fry pan, on the other hand, will last you a lifetime and give you that perfect golden-brown sear. Whether you’re whipping up a steak or just making the best crispy fried eggs for your wife in the morning, this pan is a game-changer. Pro tip: Preheat it properly, or everything will stick.
5. 15-in-1 Vegetable Chopper
This one may seem a little extra, but trust me, it makes all the difference. If chopping onions makes you cry (emotionally and physically), a vegetable chopper is your new best friend. It dices, slices, and juliennes your veggies in seconds, saving you time and tears.
6. Digital Meat Thermometer
This is one of those things you don’t realise you need until you have it. Cooking meat is a fine line between juicy perfection and shoe leather. A digital meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of roasting, grilling, and searing. Say goodbye to cutting into your chicken 14 times just to check if it’s done. Bonus: You’ll impress your guests by casually saying, “It’s resting at a perfect 135°F.”
7. Wooden Chopping Board
Plastic boards are fine until they start looking like a crime scene. A wooden chopping board is sturdy, stylish, and doubles as a serving platter when you suddenly decide you’re a charcuterie connoisseur. Plus, it won’t dull your newly sharpened knives like those cheap plastic ones.
8. Manual Juicer
Freshly squeezed OJ in the morning? Yes, please. A manual juicer lets you extract every drop from your citrus fruits without the noise and hassle of an electric one. Also, you’ll feel very fancy making fresh lemon juice for your salad dressing instead of squeezing a sad plastic lemon bottle.
9. Cocktail Shaker Kit
Let’s be real—half the fun of cooking is having a drink in hand. A cocktail shaker kit takes your hosting skills to the next level. Whether you’re mixing margaritas for a party or just treating yourself to a well-deserved espresso martini after surviving a Monday, this is a must-have.
10. Silicone Oven Mitts
Because regular oven mitts always seem to let the heat through just enough to remind you they’re useless. Silicone oven mitts are heat-resistant, non-slip, and will actually protect your hands when you’re pulling your famous lasagna out of the oven (instead of doing that awkward “ow, ow, ow” dance).
Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen?
Now that you’ve seen the must-haves, it’s time to stock up. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, meal prepping for the week, or just trying not to burn toast, these tools and equipment for your kitchen make life easier and way more fun. Upgrade your cooking game today.
